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413 Izutsuyacho, Yanaginobaba Rokkaku Sagaru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto 604-8113 Kyoto Prefecture
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About

#13 of 189 ryokans in Kyoto
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
WATAZEN is a Classical Japanese Inn with modern amenities, located in the center of Kyoto. It has been a familiar inn for many travelers to Kyoto since [Tenpo Gannen](1830). Today, many people enjoy our traditional harmonious atmosphere in central Kyoto. We are confident that our excellent service and cuisine will make your visit to Kyoto a memorable one. Please enjoy Kyoto and relax at WATAZEN. The cost is from 6300JPY - per person.
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Property amenities
Parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Hot bath
Vending machine
Bicycle rental
Baggage storage
Concierge
24-hour front desk
Wifi
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Safe
Telephone
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Classic
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Japanese
340Reviews11Q+A25Room tips

Reviews
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蔚杰 沈 wrote a review 4 Dec
1 contribution
Good food and children friendly environment. Good service. Close to Nishiki market. Amenity is typical for a traditional ryokan. It's hard to book but the dinner and breakfast are worth the price. The public bath is just okay.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Jack C wrote a review Nov 2023
Charlotte, North Carolina7 contributions8 helpful votes
It was a wonderful experience - the family who run the inn are kind and helpful. breakfast was fantastic, as was the onsen bath. it is also a very convenient location. we were about to get to gion and other parts of the center city easily on foot.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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sdcyclist wrote a review May 2023
San Diego, California288 contributions39 helpful votes
The service here was amazing from each staff member that we encountered. The front desk was always helpful and attentive. Our host was always prompt for meals and made us feel welcomed every minute of our stay, and even after our stay was done. They held our luggage hours before check in and we were able to eat and explore Nishiki Market because it is just down the street. The staff put in the effort to help us through check in and met us at elevator each time we came through front door. The food was delicious for each meal and the service at each meal was outstanding. There are many ryokans in Kyoto, but if you are looking for one that won't break the bank and still give you the service and experience you are expecting this one is one I would definitely recommend.
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: If you are a little shy, head to the public bath late at night. It will most likely be empty....
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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vi song t wrote a review Apr 2023
3 contributions1 helpful vote
+1
Watazen Ryokan was an outstanding choice for my family. The staff is friendly and really helpful. They have kept the charm of the ryokan alive by maintaining the furniture and decor very well. We were first welcomed with green tea and desserts. There were yukatas for both adults and children. We enjoyed their beautifully presented multi course kaiseki dinner. We had delicious and healthy breakfast both mornings and it was different each morning. My wife was concerned about the futon mattresses but the family had restful sleep the two nights we were there. The ryokan is in a very charming neighborhood and within two blocks to Nishiki market. There were a lot of nice coffee shops nearby and interesting restaurants nearby. We hope to return again!
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: There is a laundromat in the basement near the onsen.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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MissHK2009 wrote a review Apr 2023
Hong Kong, China3865 contributions970 helpful votes
+1
Stayed here for 2 nights. We have 3 persons and the size of room is the largest one. Everything nice tidy and well organised. There're toiletries, pajamas, slippers, beauty items that a guest can freely pick up at the lobby. Breakfast is not included but we paid extra for it which is Japanese style. Staff nice with English enough for communication. There's a common bath at the basement but we didn't try. We noted a damp unpleasant smell. The heater in the room cannot be adjusted, ended up we didn't sleep well on the first night as the room was too warm. Next day we were advised that we could open the windows for fresh cool air. The place is near to Nishiki market (7 mins walk). 10 mins walk to metro station. Buses available around. Quite convenient. Overall we had a special and good experience here. Recommended.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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linuxwiz wrote a review Apr 2023
3 contributions
It was an amazing experience being at thus Ryokan for a night and day. Usually I use hotels as places leave my stuff, and don't see them again until I come back to sleep. Me and my friends just couldn't leave this place though the service and staff was so amazing. We stayed in our rooms and drank tea and ordered beer. Then it was time for dinner we had an astonishing kaseiki dinner higlighting Kyoto's cusine. Then the necxt morning, the breakfast was also several dishes of Kyoto's finest. Will definitely do this again at Watazen!
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Margaret M wrote a review Feb 2020
1 contribution
5 adults, 2 rooms. We were a little uncertain of what we would experience. Concerns unfounded. Staff were wonderful, courteous and very helpful. Also had good sense of humour. We had traditional dinner served in the room (4 ppl). Beautifully presented and dishes explained. Very filling and tasty. Staying here was definitely worthwhile. A little oasis, a pleasant calming change to usual rush of travel.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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AdventurePlus wrote a review Jan 2020
Brisbane, Australia26 contributions46 helpful votes
We stayed in Watazen for a night during our stay in Kyoto to have a traditional Japanese experience. The ryokan is well located near the market in walking distance to Gion, the market and various other sights. The staff were lovely but limited English spoken. The tea ceremony on arrival is a lovely touch. The onsen was very clean although not very atmospheric. The room was cosy but loud as there is a pub over the road. I found the sleeping mats very uncomfortable but no doubt that is partly cultural and the purpose of our stay was to experience something different. We paid more for this one night at Watazen than we did staying in a suite at the Four Seasons in Seoul with a full buffet breakfast included. I had justified the very high price on the basis on the cultural experience and on the understanding that a traditional Japanese breakfast would be served for the four of us in our room. Instead breakfast was literally one boiled egg and on piece of bread each served in a communal room. While Watazen would be decent two star hostel/hotel (some rooms don’t even have their own bathroom) it definitely does not justify the high price we paid.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Ranga N wrote a review Jan 2020
Sammamish, Washington237 contributions68 helpful votes
We came as part of a larger group of friends and families. We stayed there for two nights. The moment we arrived we were greeted and help was provided to get us into our rooms. The rooms were clean and they served us tea on arrival in our rooms. The bathrooms were also very clean. In the night they made our beds and it comfortably accommodated four in a room. We also tried on the kimono, fun to experience the culture. The front desk knew English well so we had no trouble getting details of the nearest market. We also took the in room cell phones as they were useful communicating with the larger group. For the price and the quality it is worth it.
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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TravelingAmos wrote a review Sept 2019
New Jersey680 contributions244 helpful votes
My family of 4 adults stayed in a family room for two nights. We were snug, but we managed not to step on one another too much. Having the table layout during the day and the futons set out at night makes you feel that we are normally very wasteful with space at home. We all found the futons to be very comfortable, probably more so than regular hotel beds. The staff at the front desk are very friendly and helpful. We did not purchase breakfast at the hotel but opted instead for the free breakfast provided, which was rather sufficient. The Japanese breakfast for purchase did look good, however, so if you are not planning on trying it elsewhere, then here is as good a place as any. While the inside of the inn seems rather modern, it is the tatami mats in the room that make the experience completely different from the usual hotel stay.
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Date of stay: August 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: family room good for up to 4 adults
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
US$169 - US$261 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
watazen hotel kyoto
LOCATION
JapanKinkiKyoto PrefectureKyotoShinkyogoku Shopping District / Kawaramachi / Karasuma / Shijo Omiya
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
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WATAZEN RYOKAN - Updated 2023 Reviews (Kyoto, Japan)

Frequently Asked Questions about Watazen Ryokan
Which popular attractions are close to Watazen Ryokan?
Nearby attractions include GEAR Theatre (0.2 miles), SAMURAI & NINJA MUSEUM with EXPERIENCE (0.2 miles), and Musubi Kyoto (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Watazen Ryokan?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a hot tub, and a concierge.
Which room amenities are available at Watazen Ryokan?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
Is parking available at Watazen Ryokan?
Yes, parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Watazen Ryokan?
Conveniently located restaurants include Mezopotamia Kebab House, Tonshabu Hide, Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, and Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Teramachi Kyogoku.
Is Watazen Ryokan located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.3 miles away from the centre of Kyoto.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Watazen Ryokan?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Japanese.
Are there any historical sites close to Watazen Ryokan?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (2.8 miles), Kiyomizu-dera Temple (1.4 miles), and Sanjusangendo Temple (1.3 miles).